February 23, 2022
Myocarditis is not a routine diagnosis. It is serious, medical treatments are extremely complex and every therapy puts a patient at risk for further complications, potential disability possibly permanent.
On February 23, 2022…JAMA Cardiology Clinical Challenge presented a clinical case study of a female, mid-20s with a life-threatening condition known as lymphocytic viral myocarditis. Her heart suddenly could not pump enough blood to meet her body’s needs after a viral infection caused white blood cells (lymphocytes) to enter and inflame the heart muscle. This patient with myocarditis required extremely complex medical devices and interventions to survive such as:
- Ventilator for respiratory support (pulmonary edema)
- Endomyocardial biopsy to diagnose Viral myocarditis
- Extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) X 72 hours
- Peripheral ventricular assist device (pVAD) Impella CP (Abiomed) X 96 hours causing mitral valve damage in the heart
- Interventional cardiology transcatheter mitral valve repair
- High-dose intravenous corticosteroids
- Vasodilators for afterload reduction
For this mid-20 something female, the “mitral valve was repaired successfully in the setting of fulminant myocarditis, thus preventing the need for lifelong anticoagulation related to a mechanical prosthesis in a young woman of childbearing potential”.
No vaccination status was mentioned…seems that would have been pertinent in this patient population!
Access the complete article here
Access the Electronic Article here
